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Came across a Yamaha G3 from a private owner for sale...was a little skeptical when the ad said it was only 14 years old. I called her about it...she was a nice older woman (with a German sounding accent) who said she'd moved to a new house and now realizes the piano is way too big (she says I'll see why, if I come look at it).

I asked her for the serial number, (she didn't understand why I'd need it), but eventually found it after enlisting the help of her husband. E4980863...which indicates, sure enough, it was built in 1991. I thought G3s had been phased out by this time(?)

She said she is not the original owner, but I didn't ask how long she'd had it. My suspicion is it might be a grey market instrument, and I haven't decided whether or not to pursue it further (with a tech, etc...)

Her asking price is $12,500, which seems a bit high to me...but she seemed very proud of it, and I haven't found many acceptable used larger Yamahas I've been searching for in this market.

I've read in archive searches where people brought into question the quality of the older (60s and 70s) G3s...but didn't know if anyone would have insight into the craftsmanship in later years, before they were completely replaced by the C3.

It appears that the Yamaha G3 of which you speak was NOT designated for the North American market. By 1991, the C3 was being sold here in the US. I am not sure exactly when the model change came. But the G3 is a 6' piano while the newer C3 is 6'1".

I plugged the serial number into Yamaha's web site (service) and there is where I learned it is probably a grey market piano.

Just use caution with these instruments. You are better off considering a piano built specifically for distribution here in North America.

even if it is a grey market piano the g3's with a serial code that starts with an E is a lot higher quality piano then a c3 or other yamaha pianos (except for their top of the line instruments) they are just as good as a steinway of the same size

the older yamaha's from the '70s to the '90s where held to a higher standard, the current ones are a lot lower quality than the g3

A G3E is a nice piano as for being of a newer vintage. There were G3,G3B,G3E,G3F,G3A etc.That might be stretching it to allege a G3E to be superior to a C3E,C3F or C3A of the same approximate vintage. Now to say a G3E rivals a Steinway AII(6'1"-6'2") might be abit disputable to some.

Now Yamaha appears to be constantly upgrading their artist level pianos on a regular basis so...Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Fair game on PW.

the yamaha g3e pianos had alot more time and effort put into them than a modern day steinway. back then yamaha used more hand made techniques that they do now and steinways are hand built but they don't put enough time into them

the action on a steinway you will sometimes find that a certain key is heavier or lighter than the other keys or its repetition is differentwith the g3e they use the same parts as a steinway but they used computers to do the weight of the keys then humans test the action accordingly. I own a g3e and it sounds like a steinway.